Demarius Reed was shot and killed in October during a robbery in the stairwell of his apartment near the campus of Eastern Michigan University.
Two 20-year-old men, including Ed Jemeal Thomas of Detroit, are charged with murder and armed robbery.
Reed's family was relieved to hear about the charges.
"For a while, I was feeling hopeless. [I] felt a little bit of joy, as well, but also some sadness. All those feelings just began to re-emerge. You know, the hurt, the loss," said Carl Reed, the victim's father.
Reed attended Simeon Career Academy in Chicago where he was a star football player.
